Ryan Hall Out of Chicago

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NoFatty wrote:

I can tell you that if he figured out a way to focus on running, it would make him a more appealing marketing product to my demographic. It's unfortunate that he's created such a horrible image for himself that I only feel schadenfreude when he does badly or quits. Nobody wants to hear about your religion Ryan.

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You are seriously going to pull out of a race because you had a bad race and some bad training? Give me a freaking break! Tough it out and run like sheite! Who cares. Oh wait, people begin to speculate when you have a bad race. My bad. Guess you should put your tail between your legs and not do anything about it. The key words hear are NOT INJURED! So race!! Damnit, some races come after the worst races and training. It's called surprising yourself! It happens!! Don't get me wrong I Love Ryan Hall! I think he is a great runner and a great insiration for all runners. He has to do what he has do, but People listening to this please train to RACE! Do not train to train. Who wants to train for nothing? Train because you have too!

Race because you want to be the best!!!

I THINK EVERYBODY WHO HAS POSTED ON THIS DISCUSSION THREAD SHOULD STOP AND THINK BEFORE THEY CRITICIZE HALL'S DECISION TO DROP OUT OF THE CHICAGO MARATHON. THINK EVERYBODY, HOW MANY PEOPLE, LET ALONE AMERICANS CAN RUN 2:06-2:09 IN THE MARATHON? NOT TO MANY, SO BEFORE YOU JUDGE HIM, TRY TO JUDGE YOURSELF. IT IS EASY TO JUDGE OTHERS AND NOT OURSELVES.

since most of us can't catch td passes in the nfl, should we also refrain from criticizing braylon edwards? i'll hold off until you give me the green light.

Ryan Hall sucks at volleyball

Which Olympic and WC marathon did you race in? Did you race for the USA? I didn't know such accomplished runners post on here.

I am not at that level and never will be but the fact that you can't run a marathon every other week is what makes it so much fun and so great. To build up for one race and put it all on the line is amazing and instead of it being stressful, it is fun and exhilarating.

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Has it come to this? wrote:


First, I wasn't a 5k/10k guy. I was a marathoner who raced at the Olympic and WC level. Second, you clearly don't understand the distance and the pressures involved.

The marathon is a one race season, unlike shorter races where you can race every couple of weeks (or more). If I do a season of shorter races, there is not the same pressure that I will have to perform on one single day for which I have invested months of preparation. What other sport/event is there where your whole competitive year comprises two events?

Racing shorter distances is an enjoyable change because you can run a bunch of them without beating yourself up. If you have a cold or a bad day, then you can regroup and race again in a fortnight. Try that with the marathon. You can track your progress in races over a couple of months, and it is quite motivating. Think how Webb feels these days.

Also, training for a marathon involves significantly more mileage than training for shorter races. This extra volume takes a toll on the body. Believe it or not, it can get to be a drag being tired all the time. You generally feel sharper and fresher when you are training for shorter races.

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[quote]Aghast wrote:

Which Olympic and WC marathon did you race in? Did you race for the USA? I didn't know such accomplished runners post on here.

I am not at that level and never will be but the fact that you can't run a marathon every other week is what makes it so much fun and so great. To build up for one race and put it all on the line is amazing and instead of it being stressful, it is fun and exhilarating.
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I ran for Canada between 1995 and 2003 (2 OGs, 4 WC). It was a blast and I had some good performances. But the emotional and physical effort that goes into a marathon race is draining. If you invest everything you have for months and then get a bad day, it is devastating. It can set you back for months or years.

I was a journeyman and not a star like Hall. The pressure I felt was nothing compared to what he feels. He made a smart decision not to have a bad race, but rather to regroup and go when he is ready. Sometimes stuff doesn't work out and your training doesn't come together how you hope. Better to back away when you know you aren't set to go.

People can slam him for scratching, but they have no idea what is involved in racing at his level. He is not out there for a fun run. He is a professional who has to manage a career that might only include less than 8 more solid marathons. Why waste one when he is not really fit?

Correct. He is a professional athlete and actually would not be if we didn't care enough to talk about him.

I'm not sure about changing coaches or taking a break. But I do think he should focus on different race distances rather than just the marathon. This doesn't mean just doing a road race as a tuneup as part of marathon training. It means focusing a block of training and racing on national/world XC. Focusing a block of training and racing on world half marathon champs. These are events he could contend for a win. How about a sub 27 10k?

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stipe* wrote:

Correct. He is a professional athlete and actually would not be if we didn't care enough to talk about him.

I'm not sure about changing coaches or taking a break. But I do think he should focus on different race distances rather than just the marathon. This doesn't mean just doing a road race as a tuneup as part of marathon training. It means focusing a block of training and racing on national/world XC. Focusing a block of training and racing on world half marathon champs. These are events he could contend for a win. How about a sub 27 10k?

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He could do like Steve Jones did in his first Chicago try and give back his appearance money if he drops out.

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rusty cage wrote:

He could do like Steve Jones did in his first Chicago try and give back his appearance money if he drops out.

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thanks JB, finally a reasonable voice on here. between you and carney, i think there's less than a handful that don't have their heads up their....anyway, best of luck to Ryan, he'll come back around but yes, it def will be tough at this point, there's going to need to be a big coming out again at some point in order for the confidence to come back. i hope he does, i sure do.

Jon represented England in the WC and Olympics. The voice of experience here is Bruce Deacon. Anyone who follows the sport thanks Bruce for his commitment to personal excellence and guidance through common sense.

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Rickey Henderson wrote:
I was being serious!

I get the point though: If you're going to spout God as being a positive, then go ahead and shout it from the hills. If you're going to say anything even remotely negative about God, keep it to yourself.

I love how religious people pretend to be impartial, it's hilarious.

Pray for God to change my mind and see how that works.

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Banger wrote:

Ryan Hall sucks at volleyball

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usaxcrunner753 wrote:

I THINK EVERYBODY WHO HAS POSTED ON THIS DISCUSSION THREAD SHOULD STOP AND THINK BEFORE THEY CRITICIZE HALL'S DECISION TO DROP OUT OF THE CHICAGO MARATHON. THINK EVERYBODY, HOW MANY PEOPLE, LET ALONE AMERICANS CAN RUN 2:06-2:09 IN THE MARATHON? NOT TO MANY, SO BEFORE YOU JUDGE HIM, TRY TO JUDGE YOURSELF. IT IS EASY TO JUDGE OTHERS AND NOT OURSELVES.

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I remember back in middle school that the most talented kid won every race. In high school this same kid couldn't handle losing and quit the sport. This happens at nearly every school in the country.

The Ryan Hall situation is no different. Ryan can not handle not being the best.